inchmeal

[ inch-meel ]

adverb

1. by inches; inch; inch by inch; little by little.

inchmeal

/ ˈɪntʃˌmiːl /

adverb

1. gradually; inch by inch or little by little

Word History and Origins

Origin of inchmeal¹

First recorded in 1520–30; inch ¹ + -meal

Word History and Origins

Origin of inchmeal¹

C16: from inch ¹+ -mele, from Old English mælum quantity taken at one time; compare piecemeal

Example Sentences

“While facts remain to be proved, lawsuits like this highlight young people’s despair with the drawn-out pace of the unhurried, inchmeal, bureaucratic response to our most dire emergency,” she wrote in her decision late last week.

From Seattle Times

We are making inchmeal progress across the gritty surface of the Red Planet heading toward a distant crater.

From Seattle Times

But in the 1,300 years since the sword of the Prophet first flashed in the hot desert sun of Arabia, most advances in the freedom of Moslem women have been painful and inchmeal.

From Time Magazine Archive

He could be as patient as Death, that inchmeal stalker of his prey; he could be as ruthless as the sea, and incredibly generous upon occasion.

From Project Gutenberg

Torture me inchmeal!—to the last I'll smile, And bless him for his mercy!—but spare, oh spare my children!

From Project Gutenberg